Going Wild
Three countries active eco-adventure
Highlights
Itinerary
Hanoi Arrival
Welcome to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. Known for its centuries old architecture and delectable cuisine, Hanoi is not only rich in history and culture, but also a buzzing city and a connecting hub to other parts of the country and region. Upon arrival at Hanoi Airport (Noi Bai), you will be transferred to your hotel. Check in and relax before you stroll through the Old Quarter and have dinner in a nice local restaurant. After the dinner, you will then spend the first night in Hanoi.
(D)
Hanoi Sightseeing - Night train to Sapa
After breakfast in the hotel, a tour of the city is on. Starting with a visit to the President Ho Chi Minh mausoleum and the next door Ho Chi Minh Palace where lies the modest stilt house of the Vietnam's first president. Next stop is the one thousand year old One Pillar Pagoda, one of the most iconic temples in Vietnam, known for its unique lotus blossom shape sitting on top of a wooden pillar erected from a lotus pond. Then you will explore the Temple of Literature - the first university in Vietnam. Continue to the Ethnological Museum. In the afternoon, enjoy a unique show at the Water Puppetry Theatre near the Hoan Kiem Lake. In the evening you will be driven to the train station to take the overnight train to Sapa. Spend your night swayed to sleep by the train and get rested for the next destination.
(B)
Hike along rice fields to the Nam Cang Riverside Lodge
Your train ride arrives at Lao Cai train station in early morning, from where you will be transferred to Sapa. Upon your Sapa arrival, you will enjoy a nice breakfast in a local restaurant before doing a 6 hour hike in the Hoang Lien National Park. During your hike, you will encounter local ethnic villages, native animals such as water buffalo, and great views of the landscape. Enjoy lunch on the way before heading to Nam Cang Riverside Lodge, where you will be staying overnight.
(B, L, D)
Hike along rivers and distant mountains
After a rested night and a hearty breakfast at the Nam Cang Riverside Lodge, we continue a full day of hiking today (approximately 7 hours). You will visit different villages and have the opportunity to get to know more about daily life and culture of the local ethnic minorities. After lunch, finish the trek near the Muong Bo River. Then return Lao Cai to take the night train back to Hanoi.
(B, L)
Hanoi - Mai Chau Valley
After breakfast in Hanoi, we take you on a scenic drive to the Mai Chau valley. Once you arrive in the valley, you go on a bike tour through paddy fields, villages, and breathtaking mountainous landscapes. You will learn about local lifestyle, customs, and culture. At the end of the day, enjoy a traditional dinner with various local specialties accompanied by a traditional show of the local ethnic minorities. You spend the night in Mai Chau.
(B)
Biking in Mai Chau - Back to Hanoi
This morning you go on another bike tour through nearby villages to learn more about different ethnic minorities. In the afternoon, you return to Hanoi by car and spend the rest of the day at your leisure. You stay overnight in Hanoi.
(B)
Hanoi - Ha Long Bay
Today you will go to Ha Long and embark on a two-day cruise trip in the amazing Ha Long Bay. After boarding your cruise, you can enjoy a fresh seafood lunch, visit limestone caves, explore the bay by kayak, and swim in the emerald water. Later, join a cooking class on board before enjoying a sunset dinner. You spend the night on board the cruise.
(B, L, D)
Ha Long Bay - Hanoi - Luang Prabang
Start your day early with a sunrise Tai Chi session before enjoy your breakfast. Spend the morning at your leisure. You can swim, kayak, or relax on the sundeck and take in the beautiful scenery of the bay. Have lunch on board before returning to the harbor, where we will pick you up and take you to Hanoi airport for your flight to Luang Prabang. After you arrive in Luang Prabang, our local driver will take you to your hotel in the town center, where you spend the night.
(B, L)
Luang Prabang - Pak Ou Caves - Nong Khiaw
Today you have an option to participate in the alms giving ritual in the very early morning. After the ceremony, return to your hotel to have breakfast and then we begin our drive to Nong Khiaw. Along the way, we stop and cross by boat to visit the mysterious caves of Pak Ou, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by devoted pilgrims. Continue on to Nong Khiaw and arrive in the late afternoon. You will have dinner and stay overnight in a traditional Laotian style boutique bungalow in Nong Khiaw.
(B, L)
Nong Khiaw - Muang Ngoi
This morning you take a boat up to Muang Ngoi, a picturesque little fishing village 1 hour upstream from Nong Khiaw. From Muang Ngoi, you start the hike through paddy fields and beautiful landscape. On the way, you will get a glimpse of local life when passing by the hill tribe villages. You will also visit and take a break at Tham Kang Cave. After a picnic lunch, we will continue the hike to Ban Kioukhan, a Khamu hill tribe village. You will have dinner and stay overnight in a homestay in Ban Kioukhan.
(B, L, D)
Ban Kioukhan - Muang Ngoi - Luang Prabang
Today, you continue on your hike until you arrive in the village of Ban Hadsapheai, another Khamu hill tribe village lying by the Nam Ou River. From here, you will take a boat trip back to Muang Ngoi. Enjoy your lunch in a restaurant here before returning Luang Prabang by car. After you arrive, check in to your hotel and relax for the rest of the day. You will spend the night in Luang Prabang.
(B, L)
Luang Prabang - Chiang Mai - Traditional Khantoke Dinner
Today you leave Luang Prabang and fly to Chiang Mai, the largest city in the mountainous northern Thailand. After you arrive at the airport, our local driver will take you to your hotel to relax and enjoy the day at your leisure. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Khantoke dinner (a Lanna Thai tradition) accompanied by performances of Lanna dances and songs. Then you spend the night in your Thai-style eco-bungalow overlooking a river.
(B, D)
Chiang Mai Elephant Safari
Today you will spend the whole day at an elephant camp and have a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with these majestic but so gentle mammals. You will also visit the Lisu hill tribe village in the mountains. Back to the camp and enjoy a Thai lunch there. In the afternoon, you will go bamboo rafting on the Mae Taeng River. Afterwards, on the way back to Chiang Mai, you will visit an orchid nursery before returning to Chiang Mai to spend the night in your ecolodge.
(B, L)
Chiang Mai Departure
Today you can enjoy your free time in Chiang Mai before going to the airport for your flight home. Safe travel and see you next time!
(B)
Route
This itinerary will take you from Hanoi to Sapa and into the Mai Chau valley. Continue to Ha Long Bay and then to Laos, where you explore Luang Prabang and Nong Khiaw before heading to Chiang Mai in Thailand.
Destination
Vietnam, Laos, ThailandDeparture
Hanoi / Chiang MaiDeparture Time
dailyIncluded
Accommodation as described in programBike rentingBoat trips as described in programCooking classDomestic flightsEnglish speaking private tour guideEntrance fees & excursions as per tour programMeals as specified in tour program (B,L,D)Mineral water during excursionsprivate transfer in air conditioned carTrain tickets as described in the programTravel insuranceNot Included
Intl. flightsVisa feesOptional
Additional tours & activitiesprivate tour guide in other languages on request